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MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) Clay County Commissioner Jerry Waller has pleaded guilty to fifth-degree assault for slapping a student last May.

The charge will be dismissed after one year and there will be no conviction if Waller has no similar offenses. Waller agreed to pay court costs of $400.

Waller teaches industrial technology at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School. He remains on the staff.

Superintendent Randy Bruer says a deficiency letter was placed in Waller's file and information about the incident was sent to the Minnesota Department of education.

Waller declined comment, since state education officials apparently are still pondering his situation.

Court documents say Waller hit a 16-year-old student in the face with an open hand after the boy laughed at him in class. Waller told police a student made a derogatory comment about women and he reacted to that comment, not to students laughing at him.

Waller is running unopposed for re-election in November.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-11-08 0727CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list